Vintage mains light switches

[sparkwright]

As much as I like old stuff, why not just rewire if necessary and fit modern back boxes, and fit modern reproduction switches?
There is quite convincing modern reproduction stuff out there, that will comply to modern standards.

 

[SUNRAY]

Ah, good old 4BA....I love the old imperial stuff.

Pulled a single box out of the lounge years ago to swap it for a double, it was, by today's standards, a beast. Really chunky steel and thick coats of black paint.

I changed a double socket very recently (Yet another failed MK) in a 6 hole black box, very nostalgic.
I have an 8 way 'cable end' being a very rough 2x1 wooden frame containing 4 of them and the sockets are all 4 hole.

 

[Ragnar_AT]

Are we sure OP‘s question is about the house wiring rather than how to connect an earth wire to the old switches? In the latter case, drilling and tapping a hole for an M3 screw into the back box should do. Do the brass rings unscrew easily without tools? In that case I‘d be slightly concerned about exploring children.

Side note: while BA screws weren‘t ISO metric threads, they were an entirely metric design!

 

[SUNRAY]

Are we sure OP‘s question is about the house wiring rather than how to connect an earth wire to the old switches? In the latter case, drilling and tapping a hole for an M3 screw into the back box should do. Do the brass rings unscrew easily without tools? In that case I‘d be slightly concerned about exploring children.

Side note: while BA screws weren‘t ISO metric threads, they were an entirely metric design!

There is no backbox by the looks of it

 

[Ragnar_AT]

There is no backbox by the looks of it

Not in the pictures but OP will need that since the switches won‘t fit standard ones.

 

[SUNRAY]

Not in the pictures but OP will need that since the switches won‘t fit standard ones.

It was suggested by the seller he constructs wooden boxes for them

 

[Ragnar_AT]

It was suggested by the seller he constructs wooden boxes for them

That wouldn‘t comply for a new install, would it?

 

[SUNRAY]

That wouldn‘t comply for a new install, would it?

nope

 

[securespark]

Although some new accessories are made of wood, aren't they, granted, not the boxes.

Varilight 13AX 2-Gang DP Switched Plug Socket Classic Oak with Black Inserts - Screwfix https://share.google/ugMFt6oqdvbjdyNLr

In that vein, would a hardwood backbox be compliant?

 

[SUNRAY]

Although some new accessories are made of wood, aren't they, granted, not the boxes.

Varilight 13AX 2-Gang DP Switched Plug Socket Classic Oak with Black Inserts - Screwfix https://share.google/ugMFt6oqdvbjdyNLr

In that vein, would a hardwood backbox be compliant?

Has the term non-combustible been removed from the regs?

 

[securespark]

I don't think so.

I've seen those wooden sockets before and I've seen them at a Nat Trust property years ago.

Maybe because they are made of a hardwood, that makes a difference?

 

[Ragnar_AT]

This is just a guess but I‘d think there‘s a layer of metal or flame-retardant plastic behind the timber and there‘s definitely plastic around the contacts on the socket face. I‘d assume that’s what makes this type of socket acceptable.

 

[morqthana]

That wouldn‘t comply for a new install, would it?

Can't help wondering who would know or care.

Has the term non-combustible been removed from the regs?

How non-combustible are plasterboard boxes?

 

[Ragnar_AT]

Can't help wondering who would know or care.

Anyone carrying out an EICR I suppose.

 

[morqthana]

Anyone carrying out an EICR I suppose.

If they find out.

How would they rate it?

If this isn't a rental owned by the OP, who will care about the EICR?

I'm not gung-ho for ignoring all rules, but given you can put thin plastic boxes with large holes right next to kiln dried timber, then on a scale of 1 to run-for-your-lives where is a wooden back box?